When I do this, especially if I'm working with fairly inexperienced students, I think it's reassuring to them if I mirror what I'm asking them to do by sitting tall and closing my own eyes, as well. But here's the problem: I don't speak very well with my eyes closed. I wander off, forget what I'm saying or what I've already said. I'm getting better with time, but I'd much prefer to just keep my eyes open. It's not my practice, after all. It's theirs.
But I don't want them to feel as though they're being watched. So many people have enough trouble sitting with the eyes closed for three minutes in a room full of strangers without the teacher surveying. When I choose not to close my eyes, I notice people peeking all over the place. Some check me out with one eye and then quickly squeeze it shut. Some stubbornly refuse to close their eyes at all. I don't judge my students. They have their reasons and it's just part of their struggle to face the stillness. I don't mind their choices. I just don't want them to feel disrespected if they should open their eyes and find me not participating in the way I ask of them.
So, teachers and students, what's your opinion? Am I obligated to close my eyes? Or, for the sake of the clarity of the meditation, may I leave them open?
My vote goes for having your eyes on the ground a couple of feet in frount of you, I always have a little bit of a tilt to my head and if I was to open my eyes that's where they would naturally rest rather than straight ahead.
ReplyDeleteI think it's OK for you, as leader, to have your eyes open. But perhaps you could just close them for a few moments while everyone else does and then you can lead them without looking at anyone. This way no one will feel your eyes and they might be able to keep theirs closed. It is a learned thing for a student and the more they try the better it goes!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was similar to Grimmly's. Gazing at the floor can show the students who are not interesting in closing their eyes a nice alternative. I tend to focus better with my eyes closed, but during my teacher training class observations, I noticed not all teachers close their eyes which was a surprise to me!
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions! Thanks for the help.
ReplyDeleteYou're all on the right track. I like the sound of starting out with the eyes closed to be an example, and then gazing at a place on the floor in front of me. Perfect, although I do tend to gesture a lot when I talk, which I'm sure is hilarious when my eyes are closed. The gesturing might make it hard for me to keep my gaze down. I'll have to work on that. Or stop making gestures when I lead meditations since the students shouldn't be looking at me anyway...
I close my eyes and find that my voice naturally modulates to the quiet that closed eyes inspire. Occasionally I'll open my eyes and keep the lashes kind of together and mention that if someone doesn't feel comfortable with eyes closed they can keep their gaze soft. What I have found is that if I set the foundation, the students fly with it. On another note, when I teach teenagers, they will take a leap of faith and close their eyes if I do. Sometimes I'll open my eyes and give a gentle smile to them and they relax and close. I always explain WHY we close our eyes... that helps.
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi - I think my voice naturally modulates to silence when my eyes are closed. I find it really difficult to speak and just want to turn inward when I close my eyes, but as the teacher, I feel it's my responsibility to hold the space and remain aware of everyone's experience so that my students may focus only on themselves.
ReplyDeletei do the first 10 minutes with them. i just teach the first astanga pranayama. my eyes are closed & it's all good. those that want this as part of their yoga will keep coming to my class. others will not return or show up late, which is fine with me. i give students the option of sitting all different ways or even laying on the floor because some people can not sit still in a seated position.
ReplyDeletein a few other classes, i take a closed eye vote to see how many actually want me to teach this. last week less than half raised their hands so i ditched it & physically worked them hard. at the end of class i told them next week we will be doing the pranayama so just show up 10 minutes late if you don't want to do it.
i happen to think it's extremely important to teach proper breathing before moving through vinyasa. there's a huge difference when we do the exercise & when we do not.
so...eyes closed-optional meditation/pranayama!
ReplyDeleteHi Bindi - Thanks for commenting. I, too, have gotten the evil eye from students for announcing that we begin with a meditation. I don't care. I do it anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding that pranayama is traditionally saved for more advanced students of asana, especially in the Ashtanga tradition. I tend to think asana practice is needed as a precursor in order to develop the proper sensitivity and the awareness of the breath for pranayama to be effective, or maybe it's just the easier way to develop these qualities. I know there are different schools of thought on this. I admire you for dishing it out to your students, nonetheless.